DRC army struggles against M23 as rebels advance toward Bukavu, vow to march on Kinshasa

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) military, weakened by months of relentless fighting, is struggling to push back against the M23 rebels, who, according to U.N. reports, are backed by Rwanda—a claim Rwanda has strongly denied.

After seizing Goma, eastern DRC’s largest city, and taking control of a major international airport, the rebels have launched a rapid advance into South Kivu province.

According to U.N. officials, 700 people have been killed this week alone, further worsening the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, two activists on the ground confirmed that the Congolese army had recaptured three villages in South Kivu, though the M23 rebels remain undeterred in their march toward Bukavu, the provincial capital, and its airport.

In a bold declaration, the M23 rebels announced their intent to push beyond eastern DRC, stating, “We will march all the way to Kinshasa,” referring to the country’s capital, located 1,000 miles to the west.

With the Congolese military struggling to hold the line and diplomatic efforts intensifying, the region teeters on the brink of a larger-scale conflict. The international community remains on high alert, closely monitoring the fast-moving situation.